Boris Johnson's Track Record on Human Rights Here at Home

Eilidh Turnbull

In case you have been living under a rock, sheltering from the sun for the past week, we have a new Prime Minister and his name is Boris Johnson. The former Foreign Secretary and Mayor of London, was announced on Tuesday as Theresa May’s successor, gaining 66% of the vote form the Conservative party membership.

Here is his voting record and views on some key issues around human rights protections for us all here at home:

Human Rights Legislation

He has generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights

On 13 Jun 2018, Boris Johnson voted against largely retaining the EU "Charter of Fundamental Rights" as part of UK law following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

On 26 May 2016, he was absent for a vote on repealing the Human Rights Act

Johnson has also backed a report from a centre right think-tank which called on MPs to amend the Human Rights Act to specify that it does not apply to any death that took place before it came into force in 2000. According to the report this is aimed at “bringing to an end all ongoing investigations, inquests and prosecutions into Troubles-related deaths” referring to the Historical investigations into death during the Troubles Northern Ireland. However, this would also mean that it would not apply to pre-2000 events such as the Hillsborough disaster. Families of the 96 Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough have spoken about how the Human Rights Act help them secure justice.

Welfare and Benefits

Johnson has never voted on reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (the "bedroom tax")

He has almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability

Johnson has almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits

Home Affairs:

Generally voted for a stricter asylum system

Generally voted against introducing ID cards

Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications

Generally voted for stronger enforcement of immigration rules

Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities

Health and Social Care

Generally voted against smoking bans Voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life

During the leadership race Johnson promised that no-one should be evicted from their family home to pay for the cost of care, and that there should be a cross-party consensus in order to address this issue".

Johnson was also widely criticised by mental health campaigners and charities for a Telegraph article where he suggested that we could “improve mental health, save money and boost the economy all in one go” through hard work.

Accusations of Islamophobia and Racism

In 2002, Johnson wrote an article for the Telegraph where he referred to “watermelon smiles” and “piccaninnies”. Johnson has described this article as was ‘wholly satirical’.

Human Rights through the Ages premiered at our Human Rights Tour 2012. It highlights a handful of historical events that have contributed to our modern understanding of human rights, with a bit of tongue in cheek media commentary thrown in. It has proved extremely popular, have a watch and see what you think!

Co-produced with advocacy groups this guide shows how the rights and duties in the Human Rights Act can help strengthen support for people with mental health problems. It uses handy tables, flowcharts, case studies, and worked through examples.